CP - week 3

Thomas Hobbes

A political philosopher known for his work on the theory of state formation, particularly in his book "Leviathan," published in 1651.

State of nature

A hypothetical condition, as described by Hobbes, where there is no government and individuals exist in a state of continuous fear and conflict.

Nasty, brutish, and short

A phrase used by Hobbes to describe life in the state of nature, indicating that it is full of chaos and violence.

Prisoner’s dilemma

A standard example of a social dilemma where individuals acting in their own self-interest fail to cooperate, leading to a worse outcome for all.

Collective action problem

A situation in which individuals would benefit from cooperating, but fail to do so due to conflicting interests.

Public goods

Goods that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning individuals cannot be effectively excluded from use and one person's use does not reduce availability to others.

Stationary bandit

A metaphor used by Mancur Olson to describe a ruler who monopolizes theft and provides order in exchange for taxes, thus creating a stable government.

Roving bandit

A metaphor for a bandit who raids and steals without providing order, leading to chaos and fear among citizens.

Olson's criticism

Olson critiques Hobbes' theory by arguing that peaceful order does not emerge in large groups through voluntary agreements due to the incentive to free ride.

Hierarchy in pre-industrial societies

A social structure in early societies that emerged as agricultural productivity increased, allowing elites to tax farmers and support specialization.

Gold vs. coltan

Gold is easily concealed and has a high value-to-weight ratio, while coltan is bulky and cannot be easily hidden; this affects state formation and taxation.

Empirical evidence

Data collected through observation and experimentation that helps to support or refute a theory or hypothesis.